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JavaScript Undefined Type | Explained

JavaScript provides some primitive as well as non-primitive data types. For example “null”, “boolean”, “undefined”, etc. belong to the primitive data type while “arrays”, and “objects” are non-primitive or complex data types.  In JavaScript, any variable that is not assigned with any value has a default value of “undefined”.

This write-up will explain different use cases of the “undefined” type in JavaScript and it will be organized as follows:

So, let’s get started!

What is undefined in JavaScript?

The undefined type belongs to the primitive data types that can have only one value i.e. undefined. A variable that is declared/created but not assigned with a value anywhere in the program has a default value of “undefined”.

Syntax

Here is the basic syntax for the JavaScript undefined type:

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undefined

How to use undefined in JavaScript?

Let’s consider some use cases of JavaScript undefined type:

Example1: variable declared but not defined

In this example, we will check the type of a variable that is declared but not defined anywhere in the program:

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var x;
console.log(typeof(x));

In this example:

  • We declared/created a variable “x” and didn’t assign it a value.
  • Next, we utilized the “typeof” operator to find the type of “x”.
  • Consequently, we get the below-given result:

The typeof operator returned undefined which verified that an unassigned variable has a default value of “undefined”.

Example2: type of an empty string

Let’s consider we have an empty string as shown in the below snippet:

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var x = "";

The task is to check the type and value of an empty string:

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var x = "";
console.log(x);
console.log(typeof(x));

The above snippet utilized the console.log() method:

  • To print the value of x.
  • To print the data type of x.
  • As a result, we get the below-given output:

The output verified that an empty string and an undefined variable are two different things. The undefined variable has a data type “undefined” while an empty string has a data type “string”.

Example3: check if a variable is defined or not

In this example program, we will check whether a specific variable is defined or not. If the program does not define the variable, display the message “variable not defined!”. Else show the message “variable defined”:

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var x;
 if (typeof x === "undefined") {
 message = "variable not defined!";
 console.log(message);
 } else {
 message = "variable defined!";
 console.log(message);
}

The above code served the below given functionalities:

  • Declared a variable “x”.
  • Next, compared the value of “x” with the “undefined” type.
  • Printed “variable not defined” if the program does not define the variable.
  • Else displayed the message “variable defined”:

This is how the undefined type works in JavaScript.

Conclusion

In JavaScript, the undefined is a primitive type and has only one value “undefined”. A variable that is declared/created but not assigned with a value anywhere in the program has a default value of “undefined”. This write-up explained what exactly an undefined type is? It’s syntax and use-cases with the help of examples.

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Source: linuxhint.com

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